Cyclists turn out for 8th annual Ride the Rock

JOLIET – More than a thousand bicyclists came out Saturday to ride the trails of the Rock Run Preserve and Illinois & Michigan Canal.

And the weather was just right. With the temperatures in the low 70s, riders got to experience the full splendor of the trails after a record cold winter. Hosting this occasion – called Ride the Rock – was the Forest Preserve District of Will County.

The event, which returned for its eighth annual year, initially began as a way to introduce people to the 16-mile route system in 2007, said Bruce Hodgdon, Will County Forest Preserve spokesman.

“It was going to be a one-time special event but even by the end of that day people were coming up to us and saying you got to do this annually,” he said.

The demand still shows. Last year, 1,608 people participated and this year brought in between 1,500 to 1,600 riders.

The ride began at the Lower Rock Run Preserve near Hollywood Road and Route 6. Bike riders travel through the Rock Run trail until they reach Theodore Marsh in Crest Hill and then hit the Joliet Junction trail. They finish by riding through the I & M Canal trail before stopping right back where they started.

Jeff Gunty of Romeoville said he does it because it’s something he and his family can do together. On Saturday he was out with about nine people from his family, including children and grandchildren.

“It’s a good time,” he said about biking with his family. “We try to bike together several times during the summer.”

Ride the Rock offered more than just an opportunity to ride around with the family. At the event, riders could visit a petting zoo, climb a rock wall or see performances by a BMX stunt team.

Bryan Bartels of Joliet said he liked the event and the amenities offered by the sponsors. The title sponsor for this year was Walmart. More than 50 other sponsors were responsible for making the event free of charge for all participants.

“The event is awesome,” Bartels said. “The way they set it up takes a lot of work. It’s awesome to ride the trail.”

He said he also enjoyed the nice weather, compared to the misty weather last year. Also enjoying the weather was Adam Baltz, of Shorewood, who came out to the event with his family.

“The winter was rough,” he said. “This is really one of the first nice days we’ve had.”

Baltz said he’s participated at “Ride the Rock” for roughly six years. The first time he participated, he said it was a little challenging and it had a lot of people.

Marty Shanahan, of Joliet, visited the event with his daughter Nina, 11, who accrued many miles on her bike. The farthest she’s ever traveled on bike was 60 miles, she said. In the past, Nina has done charity bike rides for children in Haiti.

“It’s really fun,” she said about bike riding.

Shanahan said he had a big race coming up and “Ride the Rock” would be good exercise. He enjoys biking for the sights.